Method of Critical Dimension Control by Oxygen and Nitrogen Plasma Treatment in EUV Mask

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure describes a method of patterning a semiconductor wafer using extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL). The method includes receiving an EUVL mask that includes a substrate having a low temperature expansion material, a reflective multilayer over the substrate, a capping layer over the reflective multilayer, and an absorber layer over the capping layer. The method further includes patterning the absorber layer to form a trench on the EUVL mask, wherein the trench has a first width above a target width. The method further includes treating the EUVL mask with oxygen plasma to reduce the trench to a second width, wherein the second width is below the target width. The method may also include treating the EUVL mask with nitrogen plasma to protect the capping layer, wherein the treating of the EUVL mask with the nitrogen plasma expands the trench to a third width at the target width.

PRIORITY DATA

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 16/776,046, filed on Jan. 29, 2020, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/880,340 filed Jul.30, 2019, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

The semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) industry has experienced rapidgrowth. In the course of the IC evolution, functional density (i.e., thenumber of interconnected devices per chip area) has generally increasedwhile geometry size (i.e., the smallest component (or line) that can becreated using a fabrication process) has decreased. This scaling downprocess generally provides benefits by increasing production efficiencyand lowering associated costs. Such scaling down has also increased thecomplexity of processing and manufacturing ICs and, for these advancesto be realized, similar developments in IC manufacturing are needed.

For example, extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography has been utilized tosupport critical dimension (CD) requirements of smaller devices. EUVlithography employs scanners using radiation in the EUV region, having awavelength of about 1-100 nm. Some EUV scanners provide 4× reductionprojection printing, similar to some optical scanners, except that theEUV scanners use reflective rather than refractive optics, e.g., mirrorsinstead of lenses. Masks used in EUV lithography (also referred to asEUV lithography masks or EUVL masks) present new challenges. Forexample, EUVL masks typically include a patterned absorber layer over areflective multilayer where the patterned absorber layer providespatterns for exposing wafers. The absorber layer may exhibit high Vander Waals forces, resulting from a high number of metal atoms, thatcause adsorption of debris particles on a surface thereof. The patternedabsorber layer may have an etch bias of only 2-3 nm. Furthermore, EUVLmasks have a narrow critical dimension specification at the lower nodesincreasing a risk of fabricating the EUVL mask out of specificationleading to scrap. In addition, the EUVL mask may have hydrophobicsurface properties that hinder particle removal during cleaning.Accordingly, although existing lithography methods have been generallyadequate, they have not been satisfactory in all respects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is best understood from the following detaileddescription when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasizedthat, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, variousfeatures are not drawn to scale and are used for illustration purposesonly. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarilyincreased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1A is a diagram of an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithographyexposing system that employs an EUVL mask created with embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an EUVL mask, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 1C illustrates a cross-sectional view of an EUVL mask, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a flowchart of a method of making EUVL masksaccording to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F illustrate cross-sectional views of anembodiment of an EUVL mask during various stages of fabricationaccording to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H, and 4I illustrate cross-sectionalviews of an embodiment of an EUVL mask during various stages offabrication according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a method of making EUVL masks according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, and 6G illustrate cross-sectional views ofan embodiment of an EUVL mask during various stages of fabricationaccording to various aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, orexamples, for implementing different features of the invention. Specificexamples of components and arrangements are described below to simplifythe present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and arenot intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure mayrepeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. Thisrepetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not initself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/orconfigurations discussed. Moreover, the performance of a first processbefore a second process in the description that follows may includeembodiments in which the second process is performed immediately afterthe first process and may also include embodiments in which additionalprocesses may be performed between the first and second processes.Various features may be arbitrarily drawn in different scales for thesake of simplicity and clarity. Furthermore, the formation of a firstfeature over or on a second feature in the description that follows mayinclude embodiments in which the first and second features are formed indirect contact and may also include embodiments in which additionalfeatures may be formed between the first and second features, such thatthe first and second features may not be in direct contact.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,”“above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of thedevice in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted inthe figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over,elements described as being “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

This application is related to the following: Docket#2017-3198/24061.3684US01, Ser. No. 15/956,189, filing date Apr. 18,2018, which is assigned to a common assignee and herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

The present disclosure is generally related to semiconductor devicefabrication systems and methods, and more particularly related tomaking, using, and handling extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL)masks. EUVL processes have been utilized to achieve increasingfunctional densities and decreasing feature sizes in integratedcircuits. EUVL masks are an important element in the EUVL processes. Inthe fabrication of EUVL masks, control of CD may be difficult, andparticle removal during cleaning may be hindered due to a hydrophobicsurface on the EUVL mask. The present disclosure provides embodiments ofmethods that address these issues.

FIG. 1A shows an exemplary EUV lithography system 100 that benefits fromone or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The system 100includes a radiation source 102 that produces a radiation beam 104,condenser optics 106, an EUVL mask 108 on a mask stage 110, projectionoptics 112, and a substrate 116 on a substrate stage 114. Otherconfigurations and inclusion or omission of items may be possible. Inthe present disclosure, the system 100 may be a stepper or a scanner.The elements of the system 100 are further described below.

The radiation source 102 provides the radiation beam 104 having awavelength in the EUV range, such as about 1-100 nm. In an embodiment,the radiation beam 104 has a wavelength of about 13.5 nm. The condenseroptics 106 includes a multilayer coated collector and a plurality ofgrazing mirrors. The condenser optics 106 is configured to collect andshape the radiation beam 104 and to provide a slit of the radiation beam104 to the EUVL mask 108.

The EUVL mask 108, also referred to as a photomask or a reticle,includes patterns of one or more target IC devices. The mask 108provides a patterned aerial image to the radiation beam 104. In thepresent embodiment, the mask 108 is a reflective mask which will bedescribed in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 1B-1C.Particularly, the EUVL mask 108 may be fabricated to control a CD and/orsurface properties thereof. This enhances the accuracy of the patterntransfer by the EUV lithography system 100 and increases the reusabilityof the EUVL mask 108. The EUVL mask 108 may incorporate resolutionenhancement techniques such as phase-shifting mask (PSM) and/or opticalproximity correction (OPC). The mask stage 110 secures the EUVL mask 108thereon, such as by vacuum, and provides accurate position and movementof the EUVL mask 108 during alignment, focus, leveling and exposureoperation in the EUV lithography system 100.

The projection optics 112 includes one or more lens and a plurality ofmirrors. The lens may have a magnification of less than one therebyreducing the patterned aerial image of the EUVL mask 108 to thesubstrate 116.

The substrate 116 includes a semiconductor wafer with a photoresist (orresist) layer, which is sensitive to the radiation beam 104. Thesubstrate 116 is secured by the substrate stage 114 which providesaccurate position and movement of the substrate 116 during alignment,focus, leveling and exposing operation in the EUV lithography system 100such that the patterned aerial image of the EUVL mask 108 is exposedonto the substrate 116 in a repetitive fashion (though other lithographymethods are possible).

After the substrate 116 is exposed to the radiation beam 104, it ismoved to a developer where areas of the photoresist layer of thesubstrate 116 are removed based on whether the area is exposed to theradiation beam 104, thereby transferring the patterns from the mask 108to the substrate 116. In some embodiments, a developer includes awater-based developer, such as tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH). Inother embodiments, a developer may include an organic solvent or amixture of organic solvents, such as methyl a-amyl ketone (MAK) or amixture involving the MAK. Applying a developer includes spraying adeveloper on the exposed resist film, for example, by a spin-on process.The lithography process may also include a post exposure bake (PEB)process, a post-develop bake (PDB) process, or a combination thereof.The developed or patterned photoresist layer is used for furtherprocessing the substrate 116 in order to form the target IC device. Forexample, one or more layers of the substrate 116 may be etched with thepatterned photoresist layer as an etch mask.

Referring to FIGS. 1B-1C, shown therein are cross-sectional views ofembodiments of the EUVL mask 108, in portion, constructed and treatedaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure. The EUVL mask 108includes a substrate 210, a reflective multilayer (ML) 220 depositedover the substrate 210, a capping layer 230 deposited over thereflective ML 220, an absorber layer 250 deposited over the cappinglayer 230, and a conductive layer 205 under the substrate 210 forelectrostatic chucking purposes. In an embodiment, the EUVL mask 108 mayfurther include a protection layer (not shown) deposited over theabsorber layer 250. Other configurations and inclusion or omission ofvarious items in the EUVL mask substrate 108 may be possible.

In an embodiment, the conductive layer 205 includes chromium nitride(CrN), chromium oxynitride (CrON), or a combination thereof. In anotherembodiment, the conductive layer 205 includes a tantalum boride such asTaB. The substrate 210 includes low thermal expansion material (LTEM),serving to minimize image distortion due to mask heating by intensifiedEUV radiation. In one embodiment, the LTEM includes siliconoxide-titanium oxide alloy (TiO₂—SiO₂). In various embodiments, the LTEMmay include silicon oxide-titanium oxide alloy, fused silica, fusedquartz, calcium fluoride (CaF₂), silicon carbide, and/or other suitableLTEM.

The reflective multilayer (ML) 220 includes a plurality of film pairs,such as molybdenum-silicon (Mo/Si) film pairs (e.g., a layer ofmolybdenum above or below a layer of silicon in each film pair).Alternatively, the ML 220 may include molybdenum-beryllium (Mo/Be) filmpairs, or any two materials or two material combinations with largedifference in refractive indices and small extinction coefficients. Thethickness of each layer of the ML 220 depends on the wavelength and anincident angle of the EUV radiation 104 (FIG. 1A). For a specifiedincident angle, the thickness of each layer of the ML 220 may beadjusted to achieve maximal constructive interference for radiationsreflected at different interfaces of the ML 220. A typical number offilm pairs are 20-80, however any number of film pairs are possible. Inan embodiment, the ML 220 includes 40 pairs of layers of Mo/Si. EachMo/Si film pair has a thickness of about 7 nm, e.g., about 3 nm for Moand about 4 nm for Si. In this case, a reflectivity of about 70% isachieved.

The capping layer 230 is selected to have different etchingcharacteristics from the absorber layer 250 and acts as an etching stoplayer in a patterning or repairing process of the absorber layer 250. Inthe present embodiment, the capping layer 230 includes ruthenium (Ru) orRu compounds such as ruthenium boron (RuB), ruthenium silicon (RuSi),ruthenium nitride (RuN) ruthenium oxide (RuO2), or ruthenium niobiumoxide (RuNbO). The absorber layer 250 includes a material that absorbsthe EUV radiation beam 104 projected thereon. The absorber layer 250 mayinclude a single layer or multiple layers of materials selected fromtantalum boron nitride (TaBN), aluminum oxide (AlO), chromium (Cr),chromium oxide (CrO), chromium nitride (CrN) titanium nitride (TiN),tantalum nitride (TaN), tantalum (Ta), titanium (Ti), aluminum-copper(Al—Cu), nickel (Ni), hafnium (Hf), hafnium oxide (HfO2), palladium,molybdenum (Mo), or other suitable high k (extinction coefficient)materials. In some embodiments, the absorber layer 250 includes a layerof tantalum boron oxide (TaBO) (e.g., 2 nm to 20 nm thick) as ananti-reflective layer over a layer of tantalum boron nitride (TaBN).

One or more of the layers 205, 220, 230, and 250 may be formed byvarious methods, including physical vapor deposition (PVD) process suchas evaporation and DC magnetron sputtering, a plating process such aselectrode-less plating or electroplating, a chemical vapor deposition(CVD) process such as atmospheric pressure CVD (APCVD), low pressure CVD(LPCVD), plasma enhanced CVD (PECVD), or high density plasma CVD (HDPCVD), ion beam deposition, spin-on coating, metal-organic decomposition(MOD), and/or other methods.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the layer 250 is patterned with one or morephotolithography processes (to be discussed later) to form a trench 251.

Referring to FIG. 1C, the layers 220, 230, and 250 are patterned withone or more photolithography processes (to be discussed later) to formtrenches 251 and 254. Particularly, the trenches 251 are located in acircuit pattern area 240, and the trenches 254 are located in a dieboundary area that surrounds the circuit pattern area 240.

FIGS. 2A-2B show a flow chart of a method 300 of making an EUVL mask,such as the EUVL mask 108 or the EUVL mask 200, according to variousaspects of the present disclosure. The method 300 is merely an exampleand is not intended to limit the present disclosure beyond what isexplicitly recited in the claims. Additional operations can be providedbefore, during, and after the method 300, and some operations describedcan be replaced, eliminated, or moved around for additional embodimentsof the method. The method 300 is described below in conjunction withFIGS. 3A-3F, which show cross-sectional views of the EUVL mask 200 invarious stages of a manufacturing process, in accordance with variousembodiments.

At operation 302, the method 300 (FIG. 2A) receives a workpiece 200 suchas shown in FIG. 3A. Referring to FIG. 3A, the workpiece 200 includes asubstrate 210 and various layers 205, 220, 230, and 250 formed onsurfaces of the substrate 210. Particularly, the layer 205 is depositedon a surface of the substrate 210 opposite another surface of thesubstrate 210 where the layers 220, 230, and 250 are deposited. Thematerials for the substrate 210 and the layers 205, 220, 230, and 250have been discussed with reference to FIGS. 1B-1C. Particularly, thelayer 205 is a conductive layer and may include CrN or TaB, the layer210 is an LTEM substrate, the layer 220 is a reflective multilayer, thelayer 230 is a capping layer and may include ruthenium or rutheniumnitride, and the layer 250 is an absorber layer and may include tantalumboron nitride.

At operation 304, the method 300 (FIG. 2A) patterns the absorber layer250 to produce circuit patterns thereon. This includes a variety ofprocesses including coating a photoresist layer over the absorber layer250, exposing the photoresist layer, developing the photoresist layer toform photoresist patterns, etching the absorber layer 250 using thephotoresist patterns as an etch mask, and removing the photoresistpatterns. The details of the operation 304 are further illustrated inFIG. 3B-3D.

Referring to FIG. 3B, a photoresist layer 260 is formed over theabsorber layer 250, for example, by a spin coating process. Thephotoresist layer 260 is sensitive to electron beams in the presentembodiment. The photoresist layer 260 may be a positive photoresist or anegative photoresist and may be coated to any suitable thickness.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the photoresist layer 260 is exposed to apatterned electron beam and is subsequently developed to form a trench251. The trench 251 has a first width W1, which corresponds to a firstCD. The exposed photoresist layer 260 may be developed by a developmentprocess. After the photoresist layer 260 has been developed to formresist patterns, the absorber layer 250 is etched using the resistpatterns as an etch mask to thereby extend the trench 251 into theabsorber layer 250.

Referring to FIG. 3D, the resist pattern 260 is removed from theworkpiece 200, for example, using resist stripping. As illustrated inFIG. 3D, operation 304 results in a top surface portion 250 a of theabsorber layer 250 being patterned to create a trench 251 having a firstwidth W1 and first and second sidewalls 250 b each having a firstthickness T1. The first thickness T1 actually has zero value and servesonly as a reference line for later comparison. The EUVL mask 200 in FIG.3D corresponds to the EUVL mask 108 in FIG. 1B. In one or moreembodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, the trench 251 may be part of acircuit pattern 240 that corresponds to one layer in an IC die. Thelayer may include active regions, gate structures, vias, metalstructures, or other suitable circuit features.

At operation 306, the method 300 (FIG. 2A) may optionally pattern theabsorber layer 250, the capping layer 230, and the reflective ML 220 toform trenches 254 corresponding to a die boundary area. This includes avariety of processes including coating a photoresist layer over theworkpiece 200, exposing the photoresist layer, developing thephotoresist layer to form photoresist patterns, etching the variouslayers 250, 230, and 220 using the photoresist patterns as an etch mask,and removing the photoresist patterns. The details of the operation 306are further described below in conjunction with FIGS. 4E-4G.

At operation 308, the EUVL mask 200 is moved to a CD measurement tool,such as a CD-SEM instrument, to measure W1. The CD-SEM is but onenon-limiting example of a metrology instrument that may be used tomeasure a width of various features on the EUVL mask 200. Other suitablemetrology instruments may be used in place of the CD-SEM. In someembodiments, W1 may be greater than 100 nm. In other embodiments, W1 mayrange from about 50 nm to about 100 nm.

At operation 310, the EUVL mask 200 is moved to a plasma etcher. Theplasma etcher is but one non-limiting example of an etching tool thatmay be used to etch the EUVL mask 200. Other suitable etching tools maybe used in place of the plasma etcher. A pump is operated to remove gasfrom the plasma etcher in order to create a vacuum pressure of about 2to about 10 mtorr. In some embodiments, the vacuum pressure may be lessthan 2 mtorr. In other embodiments, the vacuum pressure may be less than1 mtorr.

At operation 312, the EUVL mask 200 is treated with O2 plasma 280 in theplasma etcher to enhance oxide layer growth on the absorber layer 250and to lower a CD of the trench 251. In some embodiments, a CD mean totarget (MtT) may be about 1.0-1.4 nm prior to the operation 312. In someembodiments, the CD may be lowered by about 0.6 to about 0.9 nm by theoperation 312. In some embodiments, the lowering of the CD by theoperation 410 may exceed a planned lowering of the CD by a pre-offsetdistance of about 0.2 to about 0.3 nm.

The lowering of the CD by O2 plasma treatment 280 may be global processaffecting all patterns on the EUVL mask 200. In a global process, the O2plasma treatment 280 will not change a CD uniformity or a proximitytrend. In other embodiments, the O2 plasma treatment 280 may be a localprocess in which the O2 plasma 280 is applied using a plasma beam orplasma spot enabling targeting of specific patterns on the EUVL mask200. In the local process, by compensating at specific patterns, the O2plasma treatment 280 can be used to control CD uniformity. Whetherperforming a global or local process, following each O2 plasma treatment280, the resulting patterns can be measured and analyzed, variationsdetected, and the process changed to compensate. The details of theoperation 312 are further illustrated in FIG. 3E.

Prior to igniting the O2 plasma, a flow of O2 may be applied using asource power of about 0 W, a bias power of about 0 W, a carrier gas flowrate of about 20-100 sccm, an O2 flow rate of about 150-250 sccm, a N2flow rate of about 0 sccm, and for a time of about 10-60 s.

Referring to FIG. 3E, the O2 plasma 280 reacts with the absorber layer250 to grow an oxide layer 285 on the top surface portion 250 a and onthe first and second sidewalls 250 b. In some embodiments, the O2 plasmais applied using a source power of about 600-1000 W, a bias power ofabout 0 W, a carrier gas flow rate of about 20-100 sccm, an O2 flow rateof about 150-250 sccm, a N2 flow rate of about 0 sccm, and for a time ofabout 70-200 s. In some embodiments, the carrier gas may be helium. Insome embodiments, the absorber layer 250 includes TaBN and the reactionforms TaO. TaBN is but one non-limiting example of a metal nitrideincluded in the absorber layer 250. Other suitable metal nitrides may beused in place of TaBN, including without limitation TaN and TiN. TaO isbut one non-limiting example of a metal oxide included in the absorberlayer 250 as a product of the reaction. Other suitable metal oxides maybe produced, including without limitation TaBO.

Resulting from the O2 plasma treatment 280 at operation 312, a thicknessof each of the first and second sidewalls 250 b is increased from T1 toa second thickness T2 and a width of the trench 251 is decreased from W1to a second width W2, which corresponds to a second CD. In someembodiments, T2 may be about 0.3 to about 0.45 nm. In one non-limitingexample, W1 may be about 140-160 nm and W2 may be less than W1 by about0.6-0.9 nm. In some embodiments, a height of the top surface portion 250a may be increased by about a distance T2. In other embodiments, aheight of the top surface portion 250 a may be increased between about 0nm and about a distance T2.

Therefore, as a result of the operation 312, the top surface portion 250a is moved upward, the first and second sidewalls 250 b are moved towardeach other, a lateral (or horizontal) dimension of the absorber layer250 increases on each side of the trench 251 by a length T2, and thewidth of the trench 251 decreases by twice the length T2.

The O2 plasma 280 may also react with an exposed portion of the cappinglayer 230. In other words, the O2 plasma 280 may react with a portion ofthe capping layer 230 disposed in the trench 251. In some embodiments,the capping layer 230 includes Ru and the reaction forms RuO. Ru is butone non-limiting example of a metal included in the capping layer 230.Other suitable metals may be used in place of Ru, including withoutlimitation RuB, RuSi, and RuN. RuO is but one non-limiting example of ametal oxide included in the capping layer 230 as a product of thereaction. Other suitable metal oxides may be produced, including withoutlimitation RuBO. In some embodiments, oxidation of the capping layer 230may cause damage such as by weakening protection of the reflectivemultilayer 220, by exposing the reflective multilayer 220, and/or byaltering the reflectivity of the EUVL mask 200. A protected portion ofthe capping layer 230 may be disposed under the absorber layer 250preventing the protected portion from reacting with the O2 plasma andpreventing formation of a metal oxide. In other words, a portion of thecapping layer 230 contacting the absorber layer 250 or disposed underthe absorber layer 250 may not react with O2 plasma 280 and may notinclude the metal oxide. Hence, the capping layer 230 may have anon-uniform composition, where the exposed portion includes the metaloxide and the protected portion is free from the metal oxide. In someembodiments, the protected portion may have less metal oxide compared tothe exposed portion.

In some embodiments, the absorber layer 250 includes tantalum, titanium,chromium, palladium, molybdenum, or other elements. Some of the elementsin the absorber layer 250 may be oxidized using O2 plasma treatment. Forexample, the absorber layer 250 may include tantalum (Ta), tantalumboride (TaB), or tantalum boride nitride (TaBN), which may react with O2plasma to form tantalum oxide (TaO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅), ortantalum boron oxide (TaBO). Once oxidized, the lateral (or horizontal)dimension of the absorber layer 250 increases and the lateral dimensionof the trench 251 decreases. This can be used to control the criticaldimensions of the circuit patterns on the wafer (e.g., wafer 116). Tocontrol the oxidation, the method 300 performs operation 312 to treatthe various exposed surfaces of the workpiece 200. In some embodiments,the absorber layer 250 includes a concentration gradient resulting fromthe oxidation reaction, wherein the top surface portion 250 a and/or thefirst and second sidewalls 250 b include a first concentration of metaloxide, a bulk portion of the absorber layer 250 includes a secondconcentration of metal oxide less than the first concentration, and theabsorber layer 250 includes a concentration gradient of metal oxidebetween the top surface portion 250 a and the bulk portion.

At operation 318, the EUVL mask 200 is treated with N2 plasma 290 in theplasma etcher to protect the capping layer 230 and to raise the CD ofthe trench 251. In some embodiments, the CD may be raised by about 0.2to about 0.3 nm by the operation 318. In some embodiments, the raisingof the CD by the operation 318 may be compensated for by the lowering ofthe CD by the pre-offset distance of about 0.2 to about 0.3 nm atoperation 312. The details of the operation 318 are further illustratedin FIG. 3F.

Referring to FIG. 3F, the N2 plasma 290 reacts with the oxide layer 285formed on the top surface portion 250 a, on the first and secondsidewalls 250 b, and on the exposed portion of the capping layer 230. Insome embodiments, the N2 plasma is applied using a source power rangingfrom about 600 to about 1000 W, a bias power of about 0 W, a carrier gasflow rate of about 0 sccm, an O2 flow rate of about 0 sccm, a N2 flowrate of about 150-250 sccm, and for a time ranging from about 20 toabout 240 s. In some embodiments, the absorber layer 250 includes TaOand the reaction forms TaBN. Resulting from the N2 plasma treatment 290at operation 318, a thickness of each of the first and second sidewalls250 b is decreased from T2 to a third thickness T3 and a width of thetrench 251 is increased from W2 to a third width W3, which correspondsto a third CD. In one or more embodiments, T3 is greater than T1. Insome embodiments, T3 may be about 0.2-0.3 nm. In one non-limitingexample, W3 may be about 140-160 nm. In some embodiments, a height ofthe top surface portion 250 a may be decreased by about a distance equalto a difference between T2 and T3. In other embodiments, a height of thetop surface portion 250 a may be decreased between about 0 nm and aboutthe distance equal to a difference between T2 and T3. In someembodiments, a CD MtT may be lowered by about 0.5-0.7 nm from about1.0-1.4 nm prior to the operation 312 to about 0.3-0.9 nm after theoperation 318.

Therefore as a result of the operation 318, the top surface portion 250a is moved downward, the first and second sidewalls 250 b are moved awayfrom each other, a lateral (or horizontal) dimension of the absorberlayer 250 decreases on each side of the trench 251 by about a distanceequal to a difference between T2 and T3, and a width of the trench 251increases by twice the difference between T2 and T3. In someembodiments, the N2 plasma causes N atoms to insert into the grainboundary of the capping layer 230 protecting the capping layer 230 fromdamage due to oxidation at operation 312. To impart protection to thecapping layer 230, the N2 plasma treatment 290 may include a longerduration and/or a higher source power compared to a treatment intendedto clean and/or etch the absorber layer 250.

The method 300 may include additional optional steps as illustrated inFIG. 2B. For instance, after operation 312, at operation 314, the EUVLmask 200 may be moved back to the CD-SEM and W2 may be measured muchlike the measuring of W1 at operation 308.

At operation 316, W2 is compared to a target width to determine whetherW2 is at the target width. The target width may correspond to a targetCD for a circuit pattern on a wafer. If W2 is at the target width, thenthe method 300 skips operations 318, 320, and 322 and proceeds tooperation 324, wherein the EUVL mask 200 is transferred to a subsequentprocess step. If W2 is above the target width, then the method 300returns to operation 312. The details of the operation 312 are furtherillustrated in FIG. 3E and have been discussed with reference to FIG.2A. If W2 is below the target width, then the method 300 proceeds tooperation 318. The details of the operation 318 are further illustratedin FIG. 3F and have been discussed with reference to FIG. 2A.

At operation 320, after the treating of the EUVL mask 200 with N2 plasma290 at operation 318, the EUVL mask 200 may be moved back to the CD-SEMand W3 may be measured much like the measuring of W2 at operation 314.

At operation 322, W3 is compared to the target width to determinewhether W3 is at the target width. If W3 is at the target width, thenthe method 300 proceeds to operation 324, wherein the EUVL mask 200 istransferred to a subsequent process step. If W3 is above the targetwidth, then the method 300 returns to operation 312. The details of theoperation 312 are further illustrated in FIG. 3E and have been discussedwith reference to FIG. 2A. If W3 is below the target width, then themethod 300 returns to operation 318. The details of the operation 318are further illustrated in FIG. 3F and have been discussed withreference to FIG. 2A. The method 300 may continue through as manyoperations as needed until operation 324 is reached.

It will be appreciated that each determination of whether a width of thetrench 251 is at the target width will be subject to design tolerances.In some embodiments, the width of the trench 251 may be said to be atthe target width even if the widths vary by up to about 0.1 nm. In otherembodiments, the width of the trench 251 may satisfy a condition ofbeing at the target width even if the widths vary by up to about 0.5 nmor up to about 1 nm.

The method 300 that has been discussed with reference to FIGS. 3A-3F maysimilarly apply to other embodiments of the EUVL mask 200, such as thatillustrated in FIGS. 4A-4I. The following description of the method 300as applied in various embodiments may only highlight aspects that departfrom the method 300 as applied to FIGS. 3A-3F.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4D, at operation 302, the method 300 (FIG. 2A)receives a workpiece 200 such as shown in FIG. 4A. At operation 304, themethod 300 (FIG. 2A) patterns the absorber layer 250 to produce circuitpatterns thereon. The details of operation 304 are further illustratedin FIGS. 4B-4D. In contrast to FIGS. 3B-3D, in one or more embodiments,operation 304 forms a plurality of trenches 251, as illustrated in FIG.4D. Otherwise, the operation 304, as described with reference to FIGS.3B-3D, likewise applies to FIGS. 4B-4D.

At operation 306, the method 300 (FIG. 2A) may optionally pattern theabsorber layer 250, the capping layer 230, and the reflective ML 220 toform trenches 254 corresponding to a die boundary area. This includes avariety of processes including coating a photoresist layer over theworkpiece 200, exposing the photoresist layer, developing thephotoresist layer to form photoresist patterns, etching the variouslayers 250, 230, and 220 using the photoresist patterns as an etch mask,and removing the photoresist patterns. The details of the operation 306are further illustrated in FIGS. 4E-4G.

Referring to FIG. 4E, another photoresist layer 270 is formed over theworkpiece 200 (e.g., by spin coating), and is patterned to form openings254 in the photoresist layer 270. The photoresist layer 270 is sensitiveto electron beams in the present embodiment. The photoresist layer 270may be a positive photoresist or a negative photoresist. Patterning thephotoresist layer 270 includes exposing the photoresist layer 270 to apatterned electron beam and developing the photoresist layer 270 in asuitable developer. In the present embodiment, the trenches 254correspond to areas of a wafer between IC dies, which are referred to asdie boundary area in the present disclosure. In other words, thetrenches 254 do not correspond to circuit patterns, but rather surroundcircuit patterns.

Referring to FIG. 4F, in this example, the absorber layer 250, thecapping layer 230, and the reflective ML 220 are etched using thepatterned photoresist layer 270 as an etch mask, thereby extending thetrenches 254 into the workpiece 200. The trenches 254 expose the topsurface of the substrate 210. In some embodiments, the trenches 254 helpreduce or eliminate field-to-field interference during wafer imaging.

Referring to FIG. 4G, the patterned photoresist layer 270 is removed,for example, by resist stripping. That leaves the patterned layers 220,230, and 250 over the substrate 210. Particularly, the patterned layers220, 230, and 250 provide the trenches 251 and 254. The trenches 251 andthe patterned absorber layer 250 correspond to the circuit pattern 240.The trenches 254 correspond to a die boundary area. Through the trenches251 and 254, various surfaces of the layers 220, 230, and 250 areexposed. Particularly, various surfaces of the absorber layer 250 areexposed. After the patterning by operation 304 or 306, the workpiece 200provides an EUVL mask, such as the EUVL mask 108 or the EUVL mask 200.The EUVL mask includes the substrate 210 and the patterned layers 220,230, and/or 250.

Referring still to FIG. 2A, the patterned EUVL mask 200 according toFIG. 4G has circuit pattern trenches 251 and die boundary trenches 254.After operations 304 and 306, the trenches 251 have a first width W1 andfirst sidewall thickness T1 as in other embodiments. However, the dieboundary trenches 254 have a first width W4 and a first thickness T4.

At operation 308, in addition to measuring W1, W4 may also be measured.At operation 312, the treating of the EUVL mask with O2 plasma increasesa thickness of the first and second sidewalls 250 b of the trenches 254from T4 to a second thickness T5 and decreases a width of the trenches254 from W4 to a second width W5, as illustrated in FIG. 4H. Atoperation 318, the treating of the EUVL mask with N2 plasma decreases athickness of the first and second sidewalls 250 b of the trenches 254from T5 to a third thickness T6 and increases a width of the trenches254 from W5 to a third width W6, as illustrated in FIG. 4I.

Referring to FIG. 2B, at operation 314, in addition to measuring W2, W5may be measured for one or more of the trenches 254. At operation 316,W5 of the one or more of the trenches 254 may be compared to a targetwidth for the one or more of the trenches 254 to determine whether W5 isat the target width. At operation 320, W6 may be measured for the one ormore of the trenches 254. At operation 322, W6 of the one or more of thetrenches 254 may be compared to a target width for the one or more ofthe trenches 254 to determine whether W6 is at the target width.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a method 400 of making EUVL masks, such asthe EUVL mask 200, in accordance with an embodiment. The method 400 ismerely an example and is not intended to limit the present disclosurebeyond what is explicitly recited in the claims. Additional operationscan be provided before, during, and after the method 400, and someoperations described can be replaced, eliminated, or moved around foradditional embodiments of the method.

The details of the operations 402, 404, 406, 408, and 410, furtherillustrated in FIGS. 6A-6D, are the same as operations 302, 304, 306,308, and 310 of method 300, respectively. The details of the operations302, 304, 306, 308, and 310 are further illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D andFIGS. 4A-4G and have been discussed with reference to FIG. 2A.

At operation 412, the EUVL mask 200 is purged with N2 gas 292 in theplasma etcher to protect the capping layer 230. The details of theoperation 412 are further illustrated in FIG. 6E.

Referring to FIG. 6E, the N2 gas purge 292 absorbs N atoms on the topsurface portion 250 a, on the first and second sidewalls 250 b, and onthe exposed portion of the capping layer 230. In some embodiments, theN2 gas purge 292 is applied using a source power of about 0 W, a biaspower of about 0 W, a pressure of about 10-50 mtorr, an O2 flow rate ofabout 0 sccm, a N2 flow rate of about 50-150 sccm, and for a time ofabout 30-90 s. In some embodiments, the N2 gas purge causes N atoms toinsert into the grain boundary of the capping layer 230 protecting thecapping layer 230 from damage due to oxidation.

At operation 414, the EUVL mask 200 may optionally be treated with N2plasma 290 in the plasma etcher to protect the capping layer 230 andraise the CD of the trench 251. The details of the operation 414 arefurther illustrated in FIG. 6F.

Referring to FIG. 6F, the N2 plasma 290 reacts with the top surfaceportion 250 a, the first and second sidewalls 250 b, and the exposedportion of the capping layer 230. In some embodiments, the N2 plasma isapplied using a source power ranging from about 600 to about 1000 W, abias power of about 0 W, a carrier gas flow rate of about 0 sccm, an O2flow rate of about 0 sccm, a N2 flow rate of about 150-250 sccm, and fora time ranging from about 20 to about 240 s. In some embodiments, theabsorber layer 250 includes TaO and the reaction forms TaBN. In someembodiments, the N2 plasma causes N atoms to insert into the grainboundary of the capping layer 230 protecting the capping layer 230 fromdamage due to oxidation.

Resulting from the N2 plasma treatment 290 at operation 414, a thicknessof each of the first and second sidewalls 250 b is decreased from afirst thickness T1 to a second thickness T2 and a width of the trench251 is increased from a first width W1 to a second width W2. In someembodiments, T2 may range from about 0.2 to about 0.3 nm. In someembodiments, a height of the top surface portion 250 a may be decreasedby about a distance T2. In other embodiments, a height of the topsurface portion 250 a may be decreased between about 0 nm and about thedistance T2.

Therefore, as a result of the operation 414, the top surface portion 250a is moved downward, the first and second sidewalls 250 b are moved awayfrom each other, a lateral (or horizontal) dimension of the absorberlayer 250 decreases on each side of the trench 251 by a length T2, and awidth of the trench 251 increases by twice the length T2.

Although operations 412 and 414 are described only in the context of themethod 400, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments, theseoperations may be performed before operation 312 of the method 300.

At operation 416, the EUVL mask 200 is treated with O2/N2 plasma 282 inthe plasma etcher to enhance oxide layer growth on the absorber layer250 and to lower a CD of the trench 251. In some embodiments the CD maybe lowered by about 0 to about 0.01 nm by the operation 416. In otherembodiments, the CD may be lowered by about 0.01-0.15 nm by theoperation 416. In other embodiments, the CD may be lowered by about0.15-0.2 nm by the operation 416. In other embodiments, the CD may belowered by about 0.2-0.26 nm by the operation 416. The details of theoperation 416 are further illustrated in FIG. 6G.

Referring to FIG. 6G, the O2/N2 plasma 282 reacts with the absorberlayer 250 to grow an oxide layer 285 on the top surface portion 250 aand on the first and second sidewalls 250 b. In some embodiments, theabsorber layer 250 includes TaBN and the reaction forms TaO. In variousembodiments, the O2/N2 plasma may be applied using a source power ofabout 600-1000 W, a bias power of about 0 W, a pressure of about 8-30mtorr, an O2 flow rate of about 20-80 sccm, an N2 flow rate of about20-80 sccm, and for a time of about 30-90 s. In a first non-limitingexample, the O2/N2 plasma 282 may be applied using a source power ofabout 600 W, a bias power of about 0 W, a pressure of about 8 mtorr, anO2 flow rate of about 50 sccm, a N2 flow rate of about 50 sccm(volumetric ratio of O2:N2=1:1), and for a time of about 30 s. In asecond non-limiting example, the O2/N2 plasma 282 may be applied using asource power of about 600 W, a bias power of about 0 W, a pressure ofabout 8 mtorr, an O2 flow rate of about 80 sccm, an N2 flow rate ofabout 20 sccm (volumetric ratio of O2:N2=4:1), and for a time of about30 s. In a third non-limiting example, the O2/N2 plasma 282 may beapplied using a source power of about 1000 W, a bias power of about 0 W,a pressure of about 8 mtorr, an O2 flow rate of about 80 sccm, an N2flow rate of about 20 sccm (O2:N2=4:1), and for a time of about 30 s. Ina fourth non-limiting example, the O2/N2 plasma 282 may be applied usinga source power of about 1000 W, a bias power of about 0 W, a pressure ofabout 8 mtorr, an O2 flow rate of about 80 sccm, an N2 flow rate ofabout 20 sccm (O2:N2=4:1), and for a time of about 60 s. In variousembodiments, the O2/N2 plasma 282, according to the fourth non-limitingexample, may be applied for a time ranging from about 30 s to about 90s. It will be appreciated that the CD can be controlled by changing oneof the O2:N2 ratio, the source power applied, and the duration of theO2/N2 plasma treatment 282.

Prior to igniting the O2/N2 plasma 282, a flow of O2/N2 may be appliedusing a source power of about 0 W, a bias power of about 0 W, a pressureof about 10-50 mtorr, and for a time of about 10-60 s. The O2 and N2flow rates prior to ignition will match the O2 and N2 flow rates foreach respective O2/N2 plasma treatment 282.

Resulting from the O2/N2 plasma treatment 282 at operation 416, athickness of each of the first and second sidewalls 250 b is increasedfrom T2 to a third thickness T3 and a width of the trench 251 isdecreased from W2 to a third width W3. In some embodiments, T3 may beabout 0.5-0.7 nm. In some embodiments, a height of the top surfaceportion 250 a may be increased by about a distance equal to a differencebetween T2 and T3. In other embodiments, a height of the top surfaceportion 250 a may be increased between about 0 nm and about the distanceequal to the difference between T2 and T3.

Therefore, as a result of the operation 416, the top surface portion 250a is moved upward, the first and second sidewalls 250 b are moved towardeach other, a lateral (or horizontal) dimension of the absorber layer250 increases on each side of the trench 251 by a length equal to adifference between T2 and T3, and the width of the trench 251 decreasesby twice the difference between T2 and T3. The O2/N2 plasma 282 alsoreacts with an exposed portion of the capping layer 230. In someembodiments, the capping layer 230 includes Ru and the reaction formsRuO. In some embodiments, the capping layer may be protected from damagedue to oxidation at operation 416 by the N2 gas purge 292 at operation412, by the pre-treatment with N2 plasma 290 at operation 414, and/or bythe O2/N2 plasma treatment 282 itself at operation 416.

In some embodiments, the absorber layer 250 includes tantalum, titanium,chromium, palladium, molybdenum, or other elements. Some of the elementsin the absorber layer 250 may be oxidized using O2/N2 plasma treatment.For example, the absorber layer 250 may include tantalum (Ta), tantalumboride (TaB), or tantalum boride nitride (TaBN), which may react withO2/N2 plasma to form tantalum oxide (TaO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅),or tantalum boron oxide (TaBO). Once oxidized, the lateral (orhorizontal) dimension of the absorber layer 250 increases and thelateral dimension of the trench 251 decreases. This can be used tocontrol the critical dimensions of the circuit patterns on the wafer(e.g., wafer 116). To control the oxidation, the method 400 performsoperation 416 to treat the various exposed surfaces of the workpiece200. In some embodiments, the absorber layer 250 includes aconcentration gradient resulting from the oxidation reaction, whereinthe top surface portion 250 a and/or the first and second sidewalls 250b include a first concentration of metal oxide, a bulk portion of theabsorber layer 250 includes a second concentration of metal oxide lessthan the first concentration, and the absorber layer 250 includes aconcentration gradient of metal oxide between the top surface portion250 a and the bulk portion.

The method 400 may include additional optional operations from method300 such as those illustrated in FIG. 2B. Specifically, after operation414, W2 may be measured in the CD-SEM and compared to a target width todetermine whether W2 is at the target width. Likewise, after operation416, W3 may be measured in the CD-SEM and compared to the target widthto determine whether W3 is at the target width. After each comparison,the EUVL mask 200 may be further processed using an additional N2 plasmatreatment 290 at operation 414 or an additional O2/N2 plasma treatment282 at operation 416 depending on a result of the comparison.

In some embodiments, the methods 300, 400 are applied in a mask shopduring manufacturing of the EUVL masks 108, 200. In other embodiments,various steps of the methods 300, 400 may be applied during cleaning,wafer fabrication, or use of the EUVL masks 108, 200. In onenon-limiting example, a width of the trench 251 may be measured during acleaning or wafer fabrication step and compared to the target width. Ifthe width of the trench 251 is no longer at the target width, then theEUVL mask 200 may be transferred back to the mask shop for carrying outadditional operations of the methods 300, 400 to bring the EUVL mask 200within specifications for the target width corresponding to a target CDfor a circuit pattern on a wafer.

According to some embodiments, one of the O2 plasma treatment 280, theO2/N2 plasma treatment 282, and the N2 plasma treatment 290 of themethods 300, 400 may alter a surface property of the absorber layer 250.In some aspects, one of the plasma treatments 280, 282, 290 may removesurface contamination, for example carbon. In other aspects, one of theplasma treatments 280, 282, 290 may increase a hydrophilicity of atreated surface of the absorber layer 250 or another exposed layer 210,220, 230 of the EUVL mask 200. Increasing the hydrophilicity may lower acontact angle of a cleaning solution on a treated surface of the EUVLmask 200. In this way, increasing the hydrophilicity may improve aparticle removal rate during mask cleaning.

The present disclosure provides for many different embodiments. In oneembodiment, a method is provided. The method includes fabricating a maskfor extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL), including receiving an EUVLmask that includes a substrate having a low temperature expansionmaterial, a reflective multilayer over the substrate, a capping layerover the reflective multilayer, and an absorber layer over the cappinglayer; patterning the absorber layer to form a trench on the EUVL mask,wherein the trench has a first width above a target width, wherein thetarget width corresponds to a critical dimension on the wafer, andwherein the trench has first and second sidewalls; treating the EUVLmask with oxygen plasma to reduce the trench to a second width byenhancing oxide layer growth on the first and second sidewalls, whereinthe second width is below the target width; and treating the EUVL maskwith nitrogen plasma to protect the capping layer, wherein the treatingof the EUVL mask with the nitrogen plasma expands the trench to a thirdwidth by etching the first and second sidewalls, wherein the third widthis at the target width.

In another embodiment, a mask is provided. The mask includes an extremeultraviolet lithography (EUVL) mask for patterning a semiconductorwafer, including a substrate having a low temperature expansionmaterial; a reflective multilayer over the substrate; a capping layerover the reflective multilayer; and an absorber layer over the cappinglayer, wherein the absorber layer includes a metal nitride, wherein atrench formed in the absorber layer has first and second sidewalls,wherein the first and second sidewalls include a metal oxide, andwherein the metal nitride and the metal oxide each include a firstmetal.

In some embodiments, the method includes patterning a semiconductorwafer using lithography, including loading a mask to a lithography tool,wherein the mask includes: a substrate having a low temperatureexpansion material; a reflective multilayer over the substrate; acapping layer over the reflective multilayer; and an absorber layer overthe capping layer, wherein the absorber layer includes a metal nitride,wherein a trench formed in the absorber layer has first and secondsidewalls, wherein the first and second sidewalls include a metal oxide,and wherein the metal nitride and the metal oxide each include a firstmetal; loading the wafer to the lithography tool; and performing anexposure process to the wafer using the mask.

In some embodiments, the method includes fabricating a mask used inextreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL), including receiving the maskthat includes a substrate having a low temperature expansion material, areflective multilayer over the substrate, a capping layer over thereflective multilayer, and an absorber layer over the capping layer;first patterning the absorber layer to form a trench on the mask,wherein the trench has a first width greater than a target width, andwherein the target width corresponds to a critical dimension on a wafer;second treating the mask with oxygen plasma to reduce the trench to asecond width; third measuring the second width; and based on themeasurement of the second width, fourth performing one of: if the secondwidth is below the target width, treating the mask with nitrogen plasmato expand the trench to a third width; and if the second width is abovethe target width, treating the mask with oxygen plasma to reduce thetrench to a fourth width. In some embodiments, the second width is belowthe target width. In some embodiments, the method includes fourthtreating the mask with nitrogen plasma to expand the trench to the thirdwidth; fifth measuring the third width; and based on the measurement ofthe third width, sixth performing one of: if the third width is belowthe target width, treating the mask with nitrogen plasma to expand thetrench to a fifth width; and if the third width is above the targetwidth, treating the mask with oxygen plasma to reduce the trench to asixth width. In some embodiments, the method includes after the treatingof the EUVL mask with the oxygen plasma, moving the EUVL mask to ametrology instrument; and measuring the second width using the metrologyinstrument. In some embodiments, the method includes after the treatingof the EUVL mask with the nitrogen plasma, moving the EUVL mask to ametrology instrument; and measuring the third width using the metrologyinstrument.

In some embodiments, the method includes patterning a semiconductorwafer using extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL), including receivingan EUVL mask that includes a substrate having a low temperatureexpansion material, a reflective multilayer over the substrate, acapping layer over the reflective multilayer, and an absorber layer overthe capping layer; patterning the absorber layer to form a trench on theEUVL mask, wherein the trench has a first width greater than a targetwidth, wherein the target width corresponds to a critical dimension onthe wafer, and wherein the trench has first and second sidewalls;purging the EUVL mask with nitrogen gas to protect the capping layer;treating the EUVL mask with oxygen/nitrogen plasma to reduce the trenchto a third width by enhancing oxide layer growth on the first and secondsidewalls, wherein the third width is at the target width; andpatterning the wafer using the EUVL mask, wherein the patterned waferincludes the critical dimension corresponding to the target width. Insome embodiments, the method includes after the purging of the EUVL maskwith the nitrogen gas and before the treating of the EUVL mask with theoxygen/nitrogen plasma, treating the EUVL mask with nitrogen plasma toprotect the capping layer, wherein the treating of the EUVL mask withthe nitrogen plasma expands the trench to a second width by etching thefirst and second sidewalls. In some embodiments, the oxygen/nitrogenplasma has a volumetric ratio of oxygen/nitrogen of about 1:1. In someembodiments, the oxygen/nitrogen plasma has a volumetric ratio ofoxygen/nitrogen of about 4:1. In some embodiments, the purging of theEUVL mask with the nitrogen gas protects the capping layer by insertingnitrogen atoms into the grain boundary of the capping layer.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those ofordinary skill in the art may better understand the aspects of thepresent disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art should appreciatethat they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis fordesigning or modifying other processes and structures for carrying outthe same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of theembodiments introduced herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art shouldalso realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from thespirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may makevarious changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving a mask thatincludes a substrate, a reflective multilayer over the substrate, acapping layer over the reflective multilayer, and an absorber layer overthe capping layer; patterning the absorber layer to form a trench withinthe absorber layer, wherein the trench has a first width; treating themask with oxygen plasma to reduce the trench to a second width byenhancing oxide layer growth within the trench; and treating the maskwith nitrogen plasma to expand the trench to a third width.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the absorber layer include a metal material,and wherein the treating of the mask with oxygen plasma oxidizes themetal material to form a metal oxide material within the absorber layer.3. The method of claim 2, wherein the metal oxide material has aconcentration gradient across the absorber layer after the treating ofthe mask with oxygen plasma.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thetreating of the mask with nitrogen plasma causes nitrogen atoms to beinserted into a grain boundary of the capping layer.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the treating of the mask with oxygen plasma includesutilizing an oxygen flow rate of about 150 sccm to about 250 sccm. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the treating of the mask with nitrogenplasma includes utilizing a nitrogen flow rate of about 150 sccm toabout 250 sccm.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of thetreating of the mask with oxygen plasma and the treating the mask withnitrogen plasma is performing using a bias power of about 0 W.
 8. Anmask for patterning a semiconductor wafer, the mask comprising: asubstrate; a reflective multilayer disposed on the substrate; a cappinglayer disposed on the reflective multilayer; and an absorber layerdisposed on and interfacing with the capping layer, wherein the absorberlayer includes a metal nitride and a first metal oxide, wherein an outerportion of the absorber layer has a first concentration of the firstmetal oxide and an inner portion of the absorber layer has a secondconcentration of the first metal oxide that is different than the firstconcentration.
 9. The mask of claim 8, wherein the first concentrationof the first metal oxide is greater than the second concentration of thefirst metal oxide.
 10. The mask of claim 8, wherein the capping layerincludes nitrogen.
 11. The mask of claim 8, further comprising aconductive layer interfacing with a first side of the substrate, andwherein the absorber layer is disposed over a second side of thesubstrate, the second side being opposite the first side of thesubstrate.
 12. The mask of claim 8, wherein the capping layer includes asecond metal oxide, the second metal oxide having a differentcomposition than the first metal oxide.
 13. The mask of claim 8, whereinthe first metal oxide includes a metal selected from the groupconsisting of tantalum, aluminum, chromium, titanium, copper, nickel,hafnium palladium and molybdenum.
 14. The mask of claim 8, wherein theabsorber layer defines a first trench having a first width and a secondtrench having a second width that is different than the first width. 15.The mask of claim 14, wherein a portion of the substrate defines abottommost surface of the first trench and wherein a portion of thecapping layer defines a bottommost surface of the second trench.
 16. Amethod comprising: receiving a mask that includes a substrate, areflective multilayer over the substrate, a capping layer over thereflective multilayer, and an absorber layer over the capping layer;patterning the absorber layer to form a trench extending through theabsorber layer to a portion of the capping layer, the trench having afirst width; purging the portion of the capping layer with a nitrogengas; after the purging of the portion of the capping layer with thenitrogen gas, treating the mask with oxygen/nitrogen plasma to reducethe trench to a second width.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein thepurging of the portion of the capping layer with the nitrogen gasincludes purging the absorber layer such that nitrogen atoms areincorporated into the absorber layer.
 18. The method of claim 16,further comprising treating the mask with nitrogen plasma to expand thetrench to a third width that is different than the first and secondwidths.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the treating of the maskwith nitrogen plasma to expand the trench to the third width isperformed after the purging of the portion of the capping layer with thenitrogen gas and prior to the treating of the mask with oxygen/nitrogenplasma to reduce the trench to the second width.
 20. The method of claim18, wherein the purging of the portion of the capping layer with thenitrogen gas includes utilizing a first flow rate of nitrogen gas andthe treating of the mask with nitrogen plasma to expand the trench tothe third width includes utilizing a second flow rate of nitrogen gasthat is different than the first flow rate of nitrogen gas.